Some of us might have read Ann M. Martin as a young kid. This would have been the 1980s and 1990s. I missed her Baby-Sitters Club original run (my younger sister was a fan), but I have enjoyed her 21st century contributions to the world of literature. When Raina Telgemeier took over the series for a graphic novel adaptation, I gave them a shot. I have read three or four of the main stories, and one or two of a companion series, and figured they are probably close to the original series. The two I want to talk about are The Baby-Sisters Club The Truth About Stacey V02 and The Baby-Sitters Club Mary Anne Saves the Day V03.
I recommend reading the books in order. I have been jumping around, but I figured I could understand the “missing pieces” yet, not all readers could do that. Plus, it is fun to see how the characters came to be. The group started with three, became four, and in volume 3, they become five. A quick mention of the illustrations here, they are what you see by the view of the cover. They are bold, bright, fun, colorful, and simple enough but not simplistic in any negative way. They are there supporting the stories and are familiar.
The old-school babysitters are back with a few updated twists (there is mention of a DVD player). However, it still has that 1980s feeling of a landline phone in your home and the “big issues” are pretty everyday today (diabetes, moving, divorce). But also, it has the age-old issues of shyness, trying to grow up, misunderstandings, old and new friends’ issues. This is great for all ages, as the “big things” are handled tastefully. (Ages 8 to young/medium 12).
If you have read the other graphic novels of Telgemeier, these might be a smidgen younger, but if you have read them or Varian Johnson, Jennifer Holm, Terri Libenson or others in that level, this is another series for you.